Sparlock's Hoard of the Dragon Queen

"The prisoner, you mean? If you think they can manage, I think we'd be happy to leave him with you and go chat with the governor before turning in for the night."

“Don’t underestimate him,” Skiaceq quickly interjects, addressing the guard with an urgent tone. “He wears the symbol of Asmodeus, and has powerful conjuration magic. Without the aid of this cleric,” he gestures to Lissandra, “we may not have survived. You should assign one to help detain him.”

Skiaceq takes a few minutes to describe in detail the magic displayed by Eadyan, as well as his capacity for deception. Hopefully they will be more prepared knowing what the man is capable of.

”I suppose now we will have to trust them,” he says to Valji and Darvin. “The group accompanying us was able to fight off several cultists and lizards, but not without injuries. I’m worried.”

OoC: It can’t have been more than two hours, so the tiefling should be unconscious long enough to find a secure means of containment.

The guard listens intently to Skiaceq before nodding. "No worries. We'll keep him very secure... his ability to disguise himself could be quite troublesome as well, but nothing that a good pair of shackles can't handle."

Heading into the keep, the group finds the Governor in the main hall of the castle, pacing back and forth in consternation over the state of the city. 

To the guards, Darvin adds, "He is a powerful spellcaster, so take extra care that he can't perform his arcane gestures or incantations. I wouldn't normally suggest keeping a prisoner gagged as a matter of decent humane treatment, but in this one's case it may be prudent."

Darvin walks out in front of the group to approach the governor. "Governor," he begins, adopting a solemn tone. "We're back from our mission to the caves. It seems that the cleric who had accompanied us was an impostor, a tiefling who seems to be a worshipper of Asmodeus who has been tracking the moves of the dragon cult. We were deep into the cave network before we discovered his deceit, as he appeared enraged when he discovered that whatever artifact he was looking for was not in the chest we found. Fortunately were able to subdue him and bring him back here as our prisoner. Your guards are locking him up as we speak; he may come to soon if you wish to question him. Unfortunately due to this unexpected surprise we had to hurry back here, and so we weren't able to complete a thorough exploration of the caves."

Deception: 14

"We did roast a whole host of spiders, though...including a giant, nasty, green-glowing one!" Valji shudders at the thought of the undead spider monster - in the dark - underground..."But we're back here now. How goes the fight in the town?"

Governor Nighthill looks as if he still hasn't gotten much rest, but still decidedly less harried than the day before. "Eadyan, a cultist of Asmodeus? I'll not believe it for a second... what could have happened to ths real Eadyan? This is most concerning... I'll send troops to the temple immediately to see what became of him. Thanks for capturing this imposter. So there was nothing in this cave? Maybe they'll leave us be soon enough in that case. The fight goes well... they seem to be largely withdrawing. Soon we'll be able to get everyone out of this keep and back into their homes."

"You should take a rest. The barracks is still open to you, if you would like."

When they get to the barracks, and if they are alone, Valji will ask Skiaceq to examine the item that he found in the caverns. "Because it might, you know, be dangerous, and you wouldn't want to be carrying around a cursed item - right?"

Arcana: 11

"Thank you, Governor. I'm very glad indeed to hear that the enemy appears to be withdrawing. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're quite a bit worn out and battered and are eager for that rest. We will be sure to check in with you first thing in the morning for an update."

Back at the barracks, Darvin keenly observes Valji as he examines the mask. "Can you make heads or tails of that face?" he asks after the wizard has a minute to look over it.

As Valji stares at the mask, it shrinks in size to perfectly match his Gnomish face. A terrible power emanates from it. Evil, but not cursed, it seems to contain the essence of an ancient chromatic dragon. In his studies, Valji remembers tales of a set of dragon masks of great power, hidden away by ancient heroes of old, a Dwarf, a Gnome, an Aarakocra, an Elf, and a Human.

After a little more time communing with the mask, Valji discovers the rest of its magical properties. Check your inventory. 

Anybody doing anything else before bed?

OoC: I don't think I have anything...

I put it in Valjis inventory. lol

"Guys, guys...I think I recognize this mask! It's one of a set of Dragon Masks - wondrous magic items from the legends of old! This one is the Green Dragon mask, and gives the wearer several special powers. But you have to attune to it, so you would have to spend time studying and bonding with it. Ski - you found it, so you have first dibs on it. One of its powers is protective, but only works if you are not wearing armor. Darvin - you might benefit from this power if you didn't wear that leather set. The mask also gives you resistance to poison, lets you see in the dark, and I think even gives you the breath weapon like a green dragon! Of course, I could keep it, too..." He says all of this as quietly as an excited gnome wizard can manage...luckily the stone walls of the keep probably keep others from being able to overhear much.

OoC: Oh, I know, I meant I don't think I have anything to do before bed

"Protective, huh? I could definitely use that. Apart from this flimsy leather, and my naturally cat-like reflexes of course, I don't have much in the way of defenses. Almost cost me my life against that kobold sorcerer. How does the protection work?" 

"I think it enhances you while you are wearing it, making you kinda like a dragon. You know how most people are too afraid of dragons to even look at them up close, much less attack them? I think it's like that for the wearer. So, like Darvin, who already has a big personality, would probably be even harder to hit in combat than now. Honestly, I'm not sure it would really help me or Ski all that much, now that I think about it."

"Not to say you have no personality, buddy," he says, patting Skiaceq on the wing. "Maybe it's more like your ability to positively influence others. Oh, that probably doesn't sound any better...it's hard to describe, but that's the best I can say. So...anyone wanna be like a dragon?" Valji holds the feathered mask out to each of the party members, giving them an opportunity to take it.

If no one takes it, then he will shrug his shoulders and say, "OK, then. Guess the gnome gets to wear the first Dragon Mask!" He fits is over his face, and it somehow seems to fit his smaller size perfectly.

Skiaceq’s face turns dour when Valji offers the mask. Even from this distance, he can sense the menacing spirit contained within. The gnome’s description causes a reflexive disgust to grind in the pit of Skiaceq’s stomach. He waves his hands, “I don’t want to be anything like a dragon.” He begins to add, ‘And no one should,’ but the recollection of Urokris stops him with a sliver of guilt.

”I’m going to rest. Tomorrow will not be any easier. Take this.” He tosses the gem he recovered from the cellar to Darvin. “Rest well, everyone.” 

With that, Skiaceq leaves the group and flies up to the top of the battlements to gingerly light on the highest perch available. He tucks his legs beneath him and withdraws the Aarakocran artifact, admiring it for a while before falling asleep.

The party heads to sleep. Around 2 hours into the evening, there is a sound of horns coming from the front gate, as if announcing the presence of some dignitary. Take a short rest. How do you react?

"You're saying this mask would allow me to be physically protected through sheer force of personality?" Darvin replies. "Well if there's one thing I've got it's a forceful personality!" he adds, with a deliberately cheesy Gaston grin. "If Skiaceq isn't interested I think I would like to get to know this thing a little better!"

Assuming Valji offers it, he takes the mask and examines it as he settles himself for the night.